It is amazing that Apple managed to squeeze in the new Intel Core M processor (configurable to dual-core 1.3GHz), Intel HD Graphics 5300 graphics processing unit, 8GB of system memory and solid-state drive storage (up to 512GB) into the all-metal unibody chassis.

Most convertible canvass four usage modes - laptop, stand, tablet and tries - a design popularized by Lenovo Yoga. But while the sticker on the rest of the palm Aspire' S makes clearly, this device has six modes of use. However, it would be finished very generous which two modes seem to cover.

The processor is an entry-level Intel Celeron chip. It has 2GB of RAM and 32GB of flash-based internal storage. This hardware is packed into a plastic chassis weighing around 1.5kg and available in blue or pink. It feels and looks a bit like a toy, but at least it is not bland and grey.

Designed by noted peripheral manufacturer SteelSeries, the keyboard uses Cherry MX switches (brown version), the gold standard for such keyboards. The red backlit keys are slightly narrower than usual, but feel so much more tactile.

At almost 2.2kg, this laptop is not the lightest 14-inch model. The sides may look tapered, but it is not as slim as an ultrabook. The good news is that there is sufficient allowance to fit an Ethernet port

Even for an early prototype, the Stream 11 feels sturdy. It looks like recent HP laptops, except for its bright colours, such as magenta or blue. Unfortunately, these colours only amplify the plastic construction and make the laptop look like a toy.

This amazing machine is aptly named for it truly turns into 5 devices: The first component is an .8kg Windows 8.1 tablet that runs on Intel Core architecture and has a 12.5-inch HD IPS display, 4GB RAM, up to 128GB flash storage, and a battery that can last up to 10 hours

This notebook PC is a good business laptop weighing just 1.5kg. It has a 13.3-inch LED-backlit HD anti-glare display with 1366x768 resolution. Intel Core i5 with 4GB RAM and 500GB internal storage are standard. Its one advantage is the long battery life that will last up to 9.5 hours on a single full charge.

The Toshiba Portege Z30t had a minor specs refresh with an exterior that’s largely the same as its predecessor. The Z30t is also the only 13.3-inch model in our shootout compared to the 14-inch displays on the rest of the competition.

Lenovo refreshed its Thinkpad X1 Carbon in March this year and now claims it is the thinnest 14-inch Ultrabook on the market; the assertion is at least true compared to the other two 14-inchers in this comparison.

The unibody aluminum design of the HP Elitebook Folio 1040 G1 is a sight to behold. Similar to the Dell Latitude E7440, the top lid repels fingerprints except for the mirror-like finish on the HP logo. When you open the lid, you’ll meet an anti-glare matte display and a black chiclet-style keyboard.

Intel does not have a weight limit on its Ultrabooks, just a limit on thickness, and Dell seems to be toeing the line here. It is a mere 2mm away from the maximum thickness of 23mm for screens 14-inches or larger, and weighs 1.68kg, monstrous by Ultrabook standards.

If you've never heard of AORUS before, join the club - neither had we until the X7 squirmed its way through our letterbox. An offshoot of Gigabyte, this new brand is mandated to deliver the highest quality gaming gear possible, similar to the Republic of Gamers brand from ASUS.

Welcome to the world’s thinnest gaming laptop. At just 17mm deep, and weighing a mere 1.88 kilograms, this is designed for the gamer on the go, where portability is the deciding factor come purchase time.

The Flex is taller than other 14in and 15in laptops due to the chunky hinge needed for the flexible screen, which can make it tricky to use in cramped conditions such as an economy-class airline seat. The 14in screen itself has a standard resolution of 1366x768 pixels.

Lenovo officially brought the ThinkPad Yoga to the country in December last year. This new ThinkPad model manifests the extension of the Yoga brand and design towards Lenovo's enterprise computing solutions.

Laptops that are powerful enough to easily take the place of a desktop PC also tend to be the most expensive. The Dell Inspiron 15 7000 shows that this doesn’t have to be the case. Dell has packed a lot of powerful components into an attractive laptop at a very reasonable price.

The ASUS Fonepad 7 offers the real estate of a tablet while carrying basic smartphone features. It's a refreshed version of the original Fonepad, the second in its class, and has retained a few specs like the Intel processor and voice-calling support, all while ironing out a few kinks.

Packed in a huge box, the VG278H is quite a handful due to it being really heavy. Inside the box is the display, its round base, a pair of NVIDIA 3D Vision 2 glasses, and a bunch of cables that includes a dual-link DVI-D cable. Assembly was pretty straightforward, but it was a bit hard to move around due to its weight.

In terms of design philosophy, the Fit 13A also deviates from the Duo or Pro. Instead of simply plastic or carbon ﬁber, Sony opted for brushed aluminum, which gives it the premium look that it deserves. Besides looking great, it’s also light and strengthens the whole machine.

A few short months after revealing their ﬂagship Ultrabooks, the Sony Vaio Duo 13 and the Sony Vaio Pro 13, Sony’s let loose a new model from their Ultrabook stable. The 13.3-inch Vaio Fit 13A is targeted at those looking for something that combines the best of what the Duo 13 and Pro 13 has to offer.

Logitech’s line of Ultrathin Keyboard Cover typing accessories powered by Bluetooth aren’t new, but they are well-engineered for what they’re made to do, and the keyboard cover for the iPad Air is no different.

PC Mark 8 is a synthetic benchmark that puts the machines through normal usage scenarios such as web browsing, document writing, video encoding, photo editing and casual gaming. A good gauge of overall performance is the Home benchmark, which combines all of the above mentioned tasks.

Sony has a history of building premium ultraportable notebooks – long before Ultrabooks first arrived on the scene. The Vaio Pro 13 is the latest addition to that family, and boasts a Toray carbon fiber chassis, giving it both durability and an incredibly lightweight build. In fact, it's by far the lightest Ultrabook in our shootout at just 1.06kg.

The Zenbook UX301 shares much of the design philosophy of previous Zenbooks, with a full aluminum build and the Zenbook's trademark swirl pattern lid. Like the Acer S7, the UX301 lid is also extra durable with a Gorilla Glass panel over the aluminum providing extra scratch and torsion resistance.

Laptops that are meant to be powerful enough to take the place of a desktop PC tend to be large, space-hogging 15in and 17in beasts. The Chillblast Defiant Mini 13, as its name suggests, is different. This 13in laptop is compact, yet still equipped with the latest technology. What’s more, unlike most laptops, you can have it with Windows 7 or 8.1.

ASUS has definitely made a name for themselves over the years as they continue to combine multiple devices into one, easing the headache of consumers who can’t decide between purchasing device ‘A’ or device ‘B’.

Apple reinvented the notebook computer with the incredibly slim Air. Available at 13in or ultra-portable 11in sizes, it’s still the most desirable of all laptops and - with improved performance and battery life as long as 12 hours - a superbly usable companion.